18 February 2017

Brand Feature + Review: BR Naturals

BR Naturals is an Ontario company that was created to make products that are "100% natural and safe to use but at the same time smell good, feel good, and are good for the body." Sounds pretty great, right? The company is passionate about sourcing top quality ingredients and even aims to grow as many of them as possible on their own organic farms in Yobaín, Yucatán México. I was sent a generous box of goodies to try and I'm excited to share my thoughts on everything!Lavender Body WashBR Naturals' body washes are castile-based, detergent-free soaps made from coconut, olive, avocado, apricot kernel, sunflower, and sustainable palm oils. They also contain added vegetable glycerin, a natural humectant that helps drive moisture into the skin. The consistency is a little thin but it's very workable and lathers nicely on a loofah or sponge. The Lavender Body Wash has a genuine lavender scent to my nose -- slightly herbal and not overly flowery. It's gentle and leaves skin feeling very soft. I like it as a hand wash too! Exfoliating Bar Soaps -- Lavender Flowers // Peppermint Leaf Similar to the body washes, the bar soaps are natural soaps made from just plant oils and essential oils. I've only used the Peppermint Leaf so far -- BR Naturals' most popular cleansing bar -- and I really like. As opposed to something more abrasive, the exfoliating bits in the soap are ground up peppermint leaves -- lavender flowers in the lavender bar -- which provide texture and delicate exfoliation without being harsh or scratchy. The bar smells fresh and minty and with 25% avocado oil, it creates a rich lather that cleanses without stripping the skin.

Lip Balms -- Cucumber // StrawberryI use lip balm multiple times a day without fail and BR Naturals' vegan balms are lovely. They're creamy and buttery and have been doing a good job keeping my lips moisturized and protected. The Cucumber flavor didn't end up being my cup of tea, but the Strawberry, which reminds me of the old school Lip Smackers I used as a kid, has a nice fruity scent. There are tons of other flavors to choose from too! Lotion Bars -- Vanilla // Mint VanillaSolid lotions have become one of my favorite ways to moisturize recently. They're ultra nourishing and with minimal ingredients and no added water, there's no need for emulsifiers or preservatives. However, not all solid lotions are made the same and I find a lot of brands lean too waxy, whereas my preference is for something that's solid in the container, yes, but also very emollient on the skin. BR Naturals hits that sweet spot dead on. The Lotion Bars are solid, but they melt with the heat of your skin and turn into almost a creamy oil on contact. Coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, and sweet almond oil provide a generous dose of moisture and nourishment, and mango seed butter, one of favorite body butter ingredients, helps keep the bar from feeling greasy or sitting too heavy on the skin. Again, I've only dug into the Mint Vanilla so far. It has a sweet, creamy, bakery-type vanilla scent offset with a hint of fresh peppermint to liven things up. The plain vanilla smells quite similar, just, obviously, minus the mint. The bars are quite hefty in size, so I've actually been cutting it into smaller chunks, which keeps the unused portion clean, and makes application easier and a little less messy.

Papaya Seed OilPapaya seed oil is unique in that it contains the enzyme papain, a gentle exfoliant that dissolves dead skin cells and excess sebum. It's an ingredient I've used in other products, but never on its own and, as such, I was a little thrown by the oil's strong scent. The aroma is very pungent -- almost fishy smelling -- but completely normal according to BR Naturals. I haven't worked out how to best use the oil yet, but I'll definitely post an update if/when I do. The Bottom LineThe exfoliating bar soap and lotion bar were my two favorites, but I'm happy to have had the opportunity to try everything out. I love BR Naturals' emphasis on sourcing top quality ingredients and that they're a Canadian brand too!

2 comments:

I was recently sent some of their products to try too, and after reading your review, I can't wait to start testing them - especially the lotion bar (which I have never used one before so really intrigued)! :-) xo